Burnley ratings for the season so far as Clarets pair fight it out for Player of the Year prize
Burnley are 27 games into their sixth successive season in the Premier League and they’ve got it all to do if they’re to avoid a return to the Championship.
The Clarets, currently second from bottom, are four points adrift of safety with time running out as rivals Norwich City, Watford, Everton, Leeds United and Brentford all face the threat of relegation.
Goals have been hard to come by for Sean Dyche’s side this season. Summer signing Maxwel Cornet has accounted for six of the club’s 22 finishes, which is the second worst return in the top flight.
But Burnley, on the other hand, own the second meanest defensive record in the bottom half of the division, and the eighth overall, with only Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Wolves and Brighton bettering the 38 goals they’ve conceded this term.
Here are our ratings for the season so far of the players that have started five or more league games.
But Burnley, on the other hand, own the second meanest defensive record in the bottom half of the division, and the eighth overall, with only Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Wolves and Brighton bettering the 38 goals they’ve conceded this term.
5. Ben Mee 7
Typically leading from example, the captain has put everything on the line for the cause, but in a season where goals have been hard to come by, the slightest slip at the back has been ruthlessly exposed. Burnley don't look as assured without him in the side, however. Photo: Lewis Storey
6. Nathan Collins 7
Has looked the part whenever handed a chance in the absence of Ben Mee or James Tarkowski, and fans even mused whether the captain should come straight back into the side earlier in the season, such was the form of the summer signing. An outstanding prospect, though his dismissal against Brentford, the club's first in 120 Premier League games, was a bit of a set back. Photo: Alex Livesey
7. Aaron Lennon 6.5
The ex-England and Spurs international has rolled back the years with a sequence of all-action displays for the Clarets. The winger has injected some much-needed pace into Burnley's performances, he's rediscovered the ability to beat the full back at the byline, he never ignores his defensive responsibilities and he took his goals against Manchester United and Brighton remarkably well. However, Lennon is still without an assist for the campaign. Photo: Mike Hewitt
8. Charlie Taylor 6.5
Taylor's performances, particularly on the ball, are easy on the eye, with his marauding runs down the left hand side a real feature for the Clarets. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the aesthetics of the defender's displays but, unfortunately, the numbers don't match. The full back has been involved in less than half of Burnley's clean sheets this season and, for a player as good at getting forward as Taylor, he's only contributed to a single goal this term. There's no doubt that he's a key outlet for Sean Dyche's side, but he'll need to start weighing in with goals and/or assists. Photo: TOLGA AKMEN